The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-10-05
THE LAST MAN.

ihV iBhI was Wcll spent ana darkness
was near, when the Confederatcs attack
ceased on that part of the Federal line
at Chickamauga which was held by the
troops under Thomas, on the second
day. Between the left of these forces
and that remainder of the army which
had not left the field, lay long stretch
of forest, eifectually cutting off the view
between the two points. Just at dusk
there was borne across the forest a sound
Of rapid musketry, but this was soon
over, and then followed prolonged cheer
ing. 1t was clear to those with Thomas
that the cheers came from Confederates,
and signiiied capture of more or less
importance. The incident served, in
connection with what followed, to cast
deeper gloom over the exhausted sol
diers.
That which followed was an order to
withdraw from the field in retreat to
Chattanooga. The left of Thomass S line
rested upon a ridge, the end of which
was covered with standing corn. At
the foot of the ridge, to.the left, was
fence, and beyond this the forest already
mentioned. A line of Federal skirmish-
ers was posted along the fence, aud the
orders were for this line to remain until
the troops were well off the ridge in
their retreat, and then to quietly with
draw and make the best of their way to
rcjoin the column. The skirmish line
was composed of n single regiment, and
captain was in command, all the field
officers having fallen In the two days
fghting. The captain. straight and
soldlerly fellow, with bright brown hair
and beard closely cut, was waiting with
what patience he could command until
his time came to retreat. 1t was an un-
certain service at best, this staying be-
hind in skirmish line while the army
marched away. So thought the captain,
evidently, as he moved uneasily few
PAGES back and forth behind his men.
There was something else to trouble him;
he WINGED whenever he put his left foot
to the ground.
The captain had been waiting nearly
half an hour when there came an ominous
sound from the forest in front. 1t was
too dark to see, but there could be no
mistaking that sound. 1t was the tramp
OF men coming cautiously on, as force
would do in the dark, expecting to meet
an enemy at every step. The captain
thought it too early to retire, and so there
was nothing for it but to await the on
coming force and trust to fortune. On it
came, and presently the duslly forms of
a line OF skirmishers were seen scarcely
thirty PAGES in front of the Federal line.
At the same instant the captains men,
standing silently in their places, were
discovered by the others. Neither knew
certainly to which army the other be-
longed. The line which came from the
wood halted without command, hcsi-
tating. Then an officer stepped for
ward and demanded:
"What troops are those!n
Not at loss for moment, the Fed
eral captain responded;
"All right We're going up the hill
BE ready to support us. Now, then,
men-quietlyl Pass the word along!'
Whatever the doubts of the other, the
Captain was sure that the force con-
fronting him was Confederate. lie was
at last relieved Of uncertainty must
move now. His men understood; the
command went from man to man in low
tones, and the whole line of skirmishers
quietly turned and marched up through
the corn to the top of the ridge. As they
came to the open ground at the summit
all was still about and in front of them
Their comrades were out of hearing in
their retreat. The Captain mounted his
horse-which an orderly had been hold
ing while the Captain was on foot with
his skirmishers-apd put his little rcg-
ment in motion to follow the army. lie
himself remained until the last of his
men had filed by, and then followed. As
he did this, he turned his face as if for a
last look at the bloody field. There was
nothing there now but darkness and 81
lence. Perfect silence, itseemed, thinking
what had been there now less than two
hours before. 1t was perfect slen c,
save that 200 yards down to the front,
where the enemy's dead aud wounded
lay thickest, sharp cry came up out of
the night now and then, as the hospital
corps lifted a sufferer too roughly or
turned some poor fellow over upon
mangled limb Save, alas, that a rust
ling noise in the corn through which he
had Just come told the captain that the
enemy s shirmishers left at the fence be-
low were already moving ON his track.
"The last man at Chickamauga - NUT
tered the captain as he rode on after his
regiment
They passed quickly down the rear
ward slope into the deeper shadow of the
valley, and presently turning their heads
to look behind, saw family outlined
against the sky the figure Of the South